Apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for storing a children&#39;s toy comprising a front face, a back face, and at least one connector configured to couple the front face and the back face, wherein the connected front face and back face are configured to form a pocket for storing a children&#39;s toy.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/093,814, filed on Dec. 18, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to pacifiers or other teething objects for children, and more specifically to an apparatus for storing, retaining, securing, and/or protecting a pacifier or other teething object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pacifiers and other teething objects are often stand-alone objects with various colors and shapes for aesthetic pleasure. However, these objects are not anchored to any particular item and often move during use, rendering the object inaccessible to the child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for retaining and storing a children's toy and/or teething device comprising a front face, a back face, and at least one connector configured to couple the front face and the back face, wherein the connected front face and back face are configured to form a pocket for storing a children's toy and/or teething device.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in an open configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in a closed configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in a closed and filled configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in a closed and filled configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1E is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in a closed configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1F is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in a closed and fastened configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1G is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in a closed, filled and fastened configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in an unattached configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in an attached configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2C is a diagram of an apparatus for retaining and storing a pacifier in an attached and filled configuration in .accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1A is a diagram 100 of an apparatus for storing or securing a pacifier in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1A through 1G, the pocket comprises a front face 105, a back face 110, and at least one connector 115 allowing front face 105 to connect to back face 110 so as to secure a children's toy 125 or other teething device between front face 105 and back face 110. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the pocket further comprises fastener 120 on front face 105 and/or back face 110 allowing the pocket to be reversibly attached to another object including, but not limited to, children's apparel such as onesies, shirts, one piece outfits, pajama tops, pajama outfits, sleep gown, sleep sacks, swaddle devices, bib, blankets, in addition to infant carriers, children's car seat, stroller, high chairs, rockers, and any other object suitable for children. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, fastener 120 can be button snaps, zipper, straps, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, sewn to front face 105 and/or back face 110, sewn to another object, or any other suitable conventional fastener for fastening pacifier pocket to another object.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, front face 105 and back face 110 are composed of materials such as cloth or fabric, including nylon, cotton, silk, polyester, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable for providing similar aesthetic benefits and physical functionality to the pacifier pocket. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, connector 115 can be button snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zipper, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, sewn, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting front face 105 and back face 110.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, front face 105 and back face 110 are configured to be reversibly connected using connector 115, and pocket is used to secure and protect children's toy 125. Children's toy 125 can be a stuffed toy, plush toy, pacifier, teething ring, teething toy, rubber teether, other known or unknown branded toys, or other conventional object suitable for a child. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, front face 105 and back face 110 can be configured to properly secure children's toy 125 based on the known size and shape dimensions of children's toy 125. For example, front face 105 and back face 110 can be configured such that pocket forms a conventional pocket shape, H-shape, U-shape, X-shape, Y-shape, or any other conventional shape suitable for securing and protecting a children's toy.

FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 of an apparatus for storing and securing a pacifier in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C, the pocket comprises a front face 205 having at least one connector 215 allowing front face 205 to connect to children's apparel 210 and/or another object so as to secure a children's toy 220 between front face 205 and children's apparel 210 and/or another object.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, front face 205 is composed of materials such as cloth or fabric, including nylon, cotton, silk, polyester, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable for providing similar aesthetic benefits and physical functionality to the pacifier pocket. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one connector 215 can be button snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zipper, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, sewn, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting front face 205 and children's apparel 210 and/or another object.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for storing a children's toy comprising: a front face; a back face; and at least one connector configured to couple the front face and the back face, wherein the connected front face and back face are configured to form a pocket for storing a children's toy.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a fastener configured to connect the apparatus to an object.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fastener further comprises button snaps, zippers, straps, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting the apparatus to an object.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fastener further comprises at least one elastic strap.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the object comprises onesies, shirts, one piece outfits, pajama tops, pajama outfits, sleep gown, sleep sacks, swaddle devices, bib, blankets, infant carriers, children's car seat, stroller, high chairs, rockers, a combination thereof, or any other suitable for children.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector further comprises button snaps, zippers, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting front face and back face.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector further comprises two or more button snaps configured along the periphery of the front face and back face.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector further comprises four button snaps configured along the periphery of the front face and back face.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the children's toy further comprises a stuffed toy, plush toy, pacifier, teething ring, chew toy, rubber teether, known or unknown branded toys, Genius Babies brand toys, or any other conventional object suitable for a child.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises a conventional pocket shape, H-shape, U-shape, X-shape, Y-shape, or any other conventional shape suitable for securing and protecting a children's toy.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises cloth or fabric, including nylon, cotton, silk, polyester, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable for a child.
 12. An apparatus for storing a children's toy comprising: a front face; an article of children's apparel; and at least one connector configured to couple the front face and the article of children's apparel, wherein the connected front face and article of children's apparel are configured to form a pocket for storing a children's toy.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one connector further comprises button snaps, zippers, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting front face and back face.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one connector further comprises two or more button snaps configured on the article of children's apparel and along the periphery of the front face.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one connector further comprises four button snaps configured on the article of children's apparel and along the periphery of the front face.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one connector further comprises five button snaps configured on the article of children's apparel and along the periphery of the front face.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the children's toy further comprises a stuffed toy, plush toy, pacifier, teething ring, chew toy, rubber teether, known or unknown branded toys, or any other conventional object suitable for a child.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pocket comprises a conventional pocket shape, H-shape, U-shape, X-shape, Y-shape, or any other conventional shape suitable for securing and protecting a children's toy.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises cloth or fabric, including nylon, cotton, silk, polyester, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable for a child.
 20. An apparatus for storing a children's toy comprising: a front face; a back face; at least one connector configured to couple the front face and the back face, wherein the connected front face and back face are configured to form a pocket wherein the pocket comprises a conventional pocket shape, H-shape, U-shape, X-shape, Y-shape, or any other conventional shape suitable for securing and protecting a children's toy; and a fastener configured to connect the apparatus to an object, wherein the fastener further comprises button snaps, zippers, straps, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting the apparatus to an object, wherein the at least one connector further comprises button snaps, zippers, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for . connecting front face and back face. 